said the man drowsily, as he laid his arms across the mule's back,
falling forward to slide to the ground, for the mule took two or three
steps to get out of his way.

"Oh, Chris," groaned Ned, "what shall we do?"

The boy addressed did not reply for some moments, and then he repeated
the American's words as if to himself.

The next minute he seemed full of energy, and caught his companion by
the shoulder.

"Ned," he said, "let's take the mule with the empty barrels, and ride on
to get water."

"Where?" said Ned dismally.

"Amongst the mountains."

"Where are they?"

"Over there," said Chris, pointing.

"Where's over there?"

"To the left of where the sun's going down. That's where we've been
making for all the time."

"Ride on?"

"Yes; it will be quickest."

"Come and ask father what he thinks."

"No," said Chris; "it would be losing time."

"We should never find it, and only die of thirst right away from the
others."

"We should find it. We must find it, and bring some back."

"But the barrels--they're not empty yet."

"They are," said Chris solemnly. "I stood by this afternoon, and saw
every drop drained out."

"Oh!" groaned Ned. "Then it's all over now."

"It isn't, I tell you. We must go."

"We couldn't do it; we're too weak. Come and ask your father what he
says."

"It's of no use: I feel sure he's like poor Griggs here. There, the
sun's going down, looking red as blood. Quick; the ponies can carry us,
and we'll get the mule with the empty barrels between. He'll go then."

"Let's ask Wilton to go."

"Let's try and act like men," cried Chris passionately. "There, you
mustn't oppose me. That's the way, straight there by where the sun is
sinking. It must be right. You must, you shall come."

One weaker than Chris was then would have been sufficient to overawe Ned
in those terrible moments, and he yielded without another word.

The two water-barrels with their linking-chain and the wooden
wool-stuffed pack-saddle lay ready, and the mule that had borne them
suffered itself to be led to where it stood snuffling at the wooden
vessels and passing its tongue about the bung-holes, till they were
slung across its back, and then it stood quietly enough, as if
instinctively grasping the object of this movement.

As for the ponies, they raised their heads from where they were striving
to get a little nourishment from some dust-covered twigs, and whinnied
their welcome to their